(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from PIB Field Offices and Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

India's total Recoveries cross the landmark milestone of 50 lakh; The last 10 lakh recoveries added in just 11 days; Recovered Cases have outpaced Active Cases by more than 5 times

India’s total recoveries have crossed the landmark milestone of 50 lakh today (50,16,520). 74,893 recoveries have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country. India has witnessed a very high level of more than 90,000 recoveries every day in the recent past. The total recovered Cases have outpaced active cases by more than 5 times. With the exponential increase in the recoveries, there is close to 100% increase in recovered cases in one month. The national Recovery Rate has further increased to 82.58%. 15 States/UTs are showing recovery rate more than the national average. 73% of the new recovered cases are being reported from ten States, viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal and Punjab. Maharashtra leads the tally with more than 13,000 new cases of recovered patients. The rise in total recovered cases from 1 lakh in June 2020 has been steep. The last 10 lakh recoveries were added in just 11 days. 78% of the total recovered cases are recorded in 10 States/UTs. Maharashtra contributes maximum to the total recovered cases followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. A total of 82,170 new confirmed cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country. 79% of the new cases are concentrated in ten states. Maharashtra contributed more than 18,000 to the new cases. Karnataka contributed more than 9,000. 1,039 deaths have been registered in the past 24 hours. 84% of new deaths are reported from 10 States and UTs. 36% of deaths reported yesterday are from Maharashtra with 380 deaths followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with 80 and 79 deaths, respectively.

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PM lauds farmers of India

In his Mann kiBaat address, Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi said that during the COVID crisis, the farmers of the country have shown tremendous resilience.Prime Minister said that if the agriculture sector is strong, then the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat will remain strong. He noted that in the recent past, the sector has liberated from many restrictions and has tried to break free from many myths. Prime Minister underlined that the farmers have the power to sell their fruits and vegetables, anywhere and to anyone, which is the foundation of their progress, and now the same has been imparted to farmers all over the country, for the entire spectrum of their produce.Prime Minister also cited the benefits accruing to farmers due to exclusion of fruits and vegetables from APMC purview by sharing the example of Sri Swami Samarth Farm Producer Company Limited - a Farmer Producer’s Organization in Maharashtra.

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English rendering of PM’s address in the 16th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat 2.0’ on 27.09.2020

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Dr Harsh Vardhan interacts with social media users during Sunday Samvaad-3

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare answered questions posed by his social media interactors on the third episode of Sunday Samvaad. Besides the present COVID crisis, these questions covered a multitude of queries concerning themedical infrastructure, the future of Public Health in India, India’s contribution to Climate Change Research and advancements in Meteorology. The Union Health Minister dispelled fears regarding the phased opening of schools and advised on proper protocol to be followed while visiting salons and hair-spa. The Minister asked everyone to always raise awareness regarding COVID appropriate behaviors which he himself does by stopping his car and asking non-compliant people to wear their masks. The Health Minister also coined the slogan: दो गज की दूरी, और थोड़ी समझदारी, पड़ेगी कोरोना पे भारी।He further cautioned that ICMR’s Sero survey report should not create a sense of complacency in people. The first sero survey of May 2020 revealed that the nationwide prevalence of novel coronavirus infection was only 0.73%. Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that States/UTs have been advised to lower the prices of COVID tests. In the early days of the pandemic, as the kits were imported, the price tended to be high. But now, supplies of testing kits have also stabilized and domestic production of these kits have also commenced. He added that he has spoken personally to several State health ministers regarding reduction of prices of testing in their respective states. On a question related to ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat Yojana’, Dr. Harsh Vardhan spoke of India’s two-pronged strategy of incentivizing production and creation of common infrastructure for high-quality medicines and medical devices to make the country self-reliant.

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Health Ministry’s ‘eSanjeevani’ telemedicine service crosses a milestone

eSanjeevani OPD platform of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has completed the landmark milestone of 4 lakh tele-consultations. The top performing States, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have logged in 1,33167 and 1,00124 sessions, respectively. The other States that have registered highest consultations through eSanjeevani and eSanjeevani OPD platforms are Himachal Pradesh (36,527), Kerala (33,340), Andhra Pradesh (31,034), Uttarakhand (11,526), Gujarat (8914), Madhya Pradesh (8904), Karnataka (7684), Maharashtra (7103). The usage trend shows that there has been a quick uptake of this service in smaller districts like Villupuram in Tamil Nadu. Over 16,000 consultations have been recorded from Villupuram, which is the topmost district in terms of tele-consultation services availed of by the beneficiaries.Nationally eSanjeevani platform is being used by 26 States and over 12,000 practitioners of various State Government health departments have been on-boarded on eSanjeevani and their services have been sought by people from 510 districts of the country. The last 100,000 consultations have come up in 18 days, whereas the first 100,000 consultations had taken around three months. eSanjeevani OPD services have enabled patient-to-doctor telemedicine in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Fortis Healthcare hands over cheque of Rs 2.5 crore to ICMR from CSR fund in the presence of MoS Health and Family Welfare Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey

Private sector medical service provider Fortis Healthcare handed over a cheque of Rs 2.5 crore to ICMR in the presence of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in his office on Saturday. At the event, Shri Choubey said that the ICMR has “established an outstanding parameter in the field of research”. Not only in India, this institute one of the best research institute in the world. Scientists have worked tirelessly day and night since day one of Covid-19 pandemic.”

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NPPA steps in to cap price of Liquid Medical Oxygen and Medical Oxygen cylinders

 The present situation of COVID-19 has resulted in increased demand of Medical Oxygen (MO) in the country and hence its availability is of utmost importance. Many of the States/UTs are dependent on the medical oxygen supply from other States/UTs. The government is committed to uninterrupted supply of Medical Oxygen especially in the times of pandemic. Oxygen Inhalation (Medicinal Gas) is a scheduled formulation, covered under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Its existing Ceiling Price fixed by NPPA is Rs. 17.49/CUM. However, due to absence of price cap on liquid medical oxygen, manufacturers have hiked prices to fillers. The Empowered Group 2 has recommended NPPA to consider capping the ex-factory price of liquid oxygen in order to ensure its supply to fillers at reasonable prices. To deal effectively with the situation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOH&FW), conferred the delegation of powers to NPPA to take all necessary steps to immediately regulate the availability and pricing of LMO and Medical Oxygen in cylinder. The Authority deliberated upon the matter in its extra ordinary meeting held on 25.09.2020. Accordingly it has been decided: To cap the ex- factory price of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) at manufacturers end at Rs. 15.22/CUM exclusive of GST,To further cap the ex-factory cost of Medical Oxygen Cylinder at filler end at Rs. 25.71/CUM exclusive of GST in suppression of the existing Ceiling Price of Rs. 17.49/CUM, subject to transportation cost fixation at state level, for six months.

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NCDC sanctions Rs 19444 crores in first instalment for MSP operations support to States during Kharif season 2020-21

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the apex financing organization of Union Agriculture Ministry has sanctioned as first instalment, funds amounting to Rs 19444 crores to the states of Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Telangana for Kharif paddy procurement under Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations. These amounts have been sanctioned to assist the States/ State Marketing Federations in undertaking paddy procurement operations in a timely manner through their respective cooperative organizations. This proactive step by NCDC during the COVID pandemic will give the much needed financial support to farmers of these three state who account for nearly 75% of production of paddy in the country. The timely step will help the state agencies start procurement operations immediately. It will provide the much needed support to farmers to sell their produce at the government notified minimum support price.

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SAI makes comprehensive training plan for Tokyo-bound para athletes and athletes at NCOEs–Integrity of Zoning for protection against COVID to be maintained

Stepping up to the next phase of ‘Khelo India Phir Se’, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has decided to resume sporting activities of Tokyo Olympics bound Para-athletes and athletes in SAI’s National Centre of Excellence (NCOEs) across the country, in a phased manner. In the first Phase, SAI in early June had started the training for only the Olympic bound athletes at various SAI centres, since SAI infrastructure are captive infrastructure and could ensure protection of our national athletes against COVID 19. In the next phase, the resumptionof sporting activities for Tokyo Olympics bound para-athletes and athletes in NCOEs (with a focus on 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 Asian and Commonwealth Games) has been planned in stages for nine disciplines. The same too is being organised only at SAI Regional Centres with residential facilities so as the athletes are not exposed to any dangers of COVID transmission. The decision was taken after detailed deliberation and considering that athletes cannot be put to risk of COVID less than year before Tokyo 2020 (21).To ensure complete safety of athletes, including following of quarantine protocols, SAI SOP and state Covid SOP, it has been decided that athletes, even those in the same discipline, will be inducted into sporting activities in batches. The first phase of sports resumption is likely to begin on October 5, 2020.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Punjab: To break the chain of spreading COVID-19 virus, the Health department of Punjab has braced up its efforts for contact tracing drive under which 7.6 contacts of every COVID person have been traced and tested in last week. Punjab Health Minister said that tracing of contact persons (all household members, social contacts contact at workplace) and early sampling/testing are significant ways to curb further spread of the virus.
• Haryana: The Health Minister said that the state at present has 46,367 quarantine beds, 3486 Containment Zones, 10,145 isolation beds, 2,231 ICU beds, 1,070 ventilators, 3.78 lakh PPE kits and 7.25 lakh N-95 masks. Along with this, the state government has fixed prices for COVID-19 testing at private laboratories - Rs 2,400 has been fixed for RT-PCR Tests, Rs 650 for Rapid Antigen Tests and Rs 250 for ELISA Test. He further informed that rates have also been fixed for the facility of isolation beds, ICUs and ventilators in private hospitals for patients to prevent overcharging. In addition, plasma banks are functional in Faridabad, Gurugram, Panchkula, Rohtak and Karnal.
• Himachal Pradesh: While expressing concern over the increase in number of deaths of Covid-19 patients during the last few days in the State, Chief Minister said that the doctors must ensure proper treatment of the patients especially the patients with co-morbid illness. He said that proper protocol must be adopted for home isolation for asymptotic patients. He said that it has been felt that such patients at home do not get proper treatment and care. The CM also said that proper hygiene and cleanliness must be maintained in the Covid-19 hospitals.
• Assam: In Assam, 875 more people tested positive for COVID-19 and 1670 patients discharged yesterday. Total discharged patients 139977, active patients 29350, total cases 169985 and deaths 655.
• Manipur: In Manipur, 248 more people tested positive for COVID-19, total cases rise to 10,299. With 76 percent recovery rate, there are 2106 active cases.
• Meghalaya: In Meghalaya, highest single-day recoveries recorded today with 311 individuals recovered from coronavirus in the State. Total active cases 1515 and total recovered 3654.
• Nagaland: In Nagaland, more locations sealed in Kohima following detection of new cases. Houses at Zeinuobadze, KMC Tata Parking, Upper Bayabu, L Khel village, Officers Hill, Ministers Hill, Leiri colony &Potterlane sealed.
• Maharashtra: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reviewed the COVID-related measures undertaken in Marathwada region and Nashik division of the state through video conference. CM expressed concerns over asymptomatic patients, allowed to remain at home, stepping out without proper precautions and infecting others. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has initiated the process of purchasing  RT-PCR test kits, after the ICMR discontinued its supply to states from September. The current stock of RT-PCR kits with the BMC will last till end-October. Maharashtra has 2.73 lakh active cases.
• Gujarat: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has collected a fine of over Rs 5.5 crore so far from violators, including citizens and commercial establishments, of COVID-19 norms. The civic body has rued that despite conducting a massive regulatory drive, people are still not following guidelines. AMC has formed 192 teams for 48 wards to enforce Covid appropriate behaviour.
• Rajasthan: With the number of active cases continuously increasing in Jaipur, the State government in coordination with private hospitals, is augmenting Covid treatment capacity by 2,000 additional beds. State Health Minister Raghu Sharma has also directed private hospitals at Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer and Bikaner district headquarters to keep 30 per cent beds reserved out of their total bed capacity, for Covid treatment.
• Madhya Pradesh: In Madhya Pradesh, the parole granted to 3,900 inmates of Madhya Pradesh jails in view of the Coronavirus outbreak has been extended by 60 more days. The state has around 43,000 inmates in 125 jails, of which 3,900 odd were given parole and 3,000 were granted interim bail.
• Chhattisgarh: All urban slums in 14 municipal corporations across Chhattisgarh will now receive medical facilities at their doorstep via mobile medical units as the pandemic escalates. In the first phase, 60 such units will be launched in slum areas of the municipal corporations, wherein a doctor along with paramedic staff in each medical unit will assist the residents. There are 31,616 active Covid cases in Chhattisgarh.
• Kerala: With daily Covid-19 cases crossing 7000 for the second consecutive day and death toll breaching the 700-mark, the state government is mulling steps to tighten curbs to check the spread of the virus. An all-party meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss in this regard. Thiruvananthapuram district administration has urged the government for complete shut down in the capital district which has a huge case load. Meanwhile, the Opposition UDF has decided to end the direct protests against the government in view of the Covid spread which has reached new levels. Six more Covid fatalities were reported in the state today taking the death toll to 703. Covid-19 was confirmed in 7,445 persons in the state on Sunday. 56,709 patients are now undergoing treatment and 2,27,831 people are currently under observation in various districts.
• Tamil Nadu:Schools in Karaikal, Puducherry to reopen from October 5 in phased manner. Tamil Nadu schools to resume online classes today after break; Owing to the increased stress among school students, online classes and the telecast of video lessons on TV channels were put on a pause from September 21 to 25. TN Chief Secretary K Shanmugan instructs Coimbatore Collector to bring down Covid-19 positivity rate below five per cent and maintain daily cases below 100 by increasing the samples tested.
• Karnataka:Today farmers organisations held state wide bandh against the farm bills; there was mixed reaction to the bandh. Common law admission test was held in the city  following health department's Covid protocol . Yesterday Bangalore reported 4217 covid cases, which is highest in a single day. In view Covid, Karnataka High Court introduced on line appointment for filing cases, which is said to be first in the country. Private hospitals urges state to provide ventilators and also manpower to treat covid patients.
• Andhra Pradesh:A research study done by  IIT, Mandi, published in the Journal of Travel Medicine   has found that infected cases from three   states -- Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh -- played less role in spreading the disease outside their communities. According to the study, coronavirus got induced into Indian states mainly due to international travellers from Dubai and the UK. State lifted the Covid-19 restrictions for ferrying passengers in full seating capacity of the bus by RTC. Till date, buses were operated with 60 per cent seating capacity. State Endowment Minister VellampalliSrinivas was reportedly diagnosed with coronavirus. The Minister recently participated in the TirumalaBrahmotsavam along with Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
• Telangana:1378 new cases, 1932 recoveries & 7 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 1377 cases, 254 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 1,87,211; Active cases: 29,673; Deaths: 1107; Discharges :1,56,431. While 20 healthcare workers in the state have already succumbed to Covid-19 (the sixth highest among states), the number of healthcare workers who have tested positive since the onset of the pandemic have crossed 2,500, say official sources. With an eye on boosting Industry, Telangana will be the first state in the country to come up with a policy to safeguard the interest of migrant labourers, including registration of their names and a term contract to guarantee proper wages.

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